A lavish, Texas-sized Sweet Sixteen turns deadly in this twisty, pulse-pounding new novel — serving up a fresh take on a classic locked-room whodunnit. Let the festivities begin…
Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.
It’s a killer guest list . . .
DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl
ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume
KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .
Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.
(view spoiler)[ we're still waiting to know what this bad thing is that Dani did. the thing that even the daughter knows about. . .yikes. is it something tied to the woman in white, the one that seems to haunt the women in the house? is this truly a haunted house?
but that message wasn't a haunting. someone really is threatening Dani and I don't think it's Kim, the ex. So did perfect Ethan have another girlfriend he didn't marry? hmmm
ooh I never thought of Kim being the reason they were divorced. like she said, she doesn't want this life . . .and yet, she still can't help but be shitty.
I don't know if there's darkness in Mikayla as something she can't share. Is it feelings for her best friend? or something else? she said it would ruin their friendship. . . (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[ so. I'm a little worried that the balcony thing is the kid who wanted to jump. Is that Tyler? Mason? I don't know, the boys all sound the same to me! But I'm worried that he doesn't clear the patio like they all worried.
and wow, Kim definitely seemed to be spiraling out about Ethan. I can see her point, the surprise trips are a bit crap, but . . .I mean, she could have just as easily said something, right? Or just put her foot down and said no. but her drinking - and her drug use - that is completely on her. Even now, at this party - she really shouldn't have stayed. what was she thinking?
and yikes. I thought Makayla might like Sophie but no. . .she's been with Mason? behind Sophie's back? I mean, that can't end well, right?
and this MB / Marybeth person - doesn't even live in the neighborhood and is in the house, snooping around? she's the stalker, right? Dani must not have realized just how much of her life she let leak into her posts so that Marybeth could find her. . . (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[ wow. . .all the ways I guessed wrong! lol
so wow, it's Mikayla. leaving shitty comments and making her feel crazy. why didn't Ethan ever say anything? I'm beginning to wonder a bit more about him. . .is he/did he drug Dani?
and the friend Curtis is so so gross.
but wow, the nanny is there because of something Kim did? is she the reason her husband died? her daughter? I'm so confused on this here
and wow, I really thought it would be the secretary - I never even thought the friend saw anyone but Mason.
but we still don't know who's hurt. They are all taking drugs and drinking alcohol, these kids just might do something awful (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[ holy moly I knew I was getting a bad vibe about Ethan but WOW! that he gaslit and broke down every girl in his life - that he undermined them and made them question themselves. Ugh, creep.
and I love that Kim got the help she needed but also opened a sanctuary. That was the best outcome for her
and I was glad the nanny got her justice and she got to keep Dani
Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.
It’s a killer guest list . . .
DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl
ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume
KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .
Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.